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Method of Student Evaluation

Presentations/Critical Reflection Papers

A recent high-profile scientific paper related to each of the eight course themes will be assigned to be read, analyzed and presented in class by students working in groups. These talks will be graded based on the quality of background information, explanation of methodology, interpretation of results, and ability to respond to audience questions. This task is expected require significant effort.

Students not involved in presenting the paper will still be required to read the paper and write a 500-word “critical reflection paper”. This is not the same as a rigorous scientific critique. Instead the student is expected to report how the paper contributes to their learning relative to previous experience and their understanding of the course themes. Details will be given at the beginning of the term. Each paper will be assigned two weeks in advance of the due date for presentations/critical reflection paper deadline. This task will require much less effort than a scientific critique and this is reflected in the grading scheme.

Course Related News

New therapeutic opportunity for the treatment of resistant malignant melanomahttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180620150120.htmResearchers have revealed that malignant melanoma can reprogram their protein synthesis machinery and become addicted to a new family of enzymes that modify transfer RNAs during acquired resistance. The inhibition of these molecules synergies with targeted therapies to produce a strong anti-tumoral effect. These new findings will be key in the development of improved diagnostic tools and melanoma treatment.

Structural biology: Until the last cuthttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180612185107.htmRibosomes are the cell’s protein factories. Researchers have now structurally characterized late stages in the assembly of the human small ribosomal subunit, yielding detailed insights into their maturation principles.

Cellular ‘garbage disposal’ has another jobhttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180710101708.htmResearchers have found that the cellular ‘garbage disposal,’ known to scientists as proteasomes, may not only be responsible for the removal of cellular waste, but actually work on some of the most important proteins to neuronal development.

Chaperones can hold proteins in non-equilibrium states
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180305130219.htmChaperones are specialized proteins in the cell that help other proteins to reach their functional 3D shapes, which correspond to the states preferred at thermodynamic equilibrium. But a new study shows that chaperones can also maintain proteins in non-equilibrium states, potentially altering their fate.

Researchers discover system that could reduce neurodegeneration in Huntington’s disease: Mechanism could reduce the toxic aggregation of huntingtin protein in the long runhttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180726161058.htmNeuroscientists have made an important step towards understanding the mechanisms that cause the neurodegenerative disorder Huntington’s disease. Particularly, they identified a system blocking the accumulation of toxin protein aggregates, which are responsible for neurodegeneration.